Candle holding device



March 22, 1938. 7 D $A|ER I 2,111,642

CANDLE HOLDING DEVICE Filed Feb. 8, 1957 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 22, 1938UNITED STATES PATENT GFFIQE 15 Claims.

My invention relates to adaptors'for candleholders.

In practice it'is often'found that after a candle has been procured iteither fits the regular socket of .the candleholder too loosely or istoo large to be inserted-therein.

It is an object of theinvention to provide an adaptor that will enable asingle candleholder to be; readily usable with candles of varyingdiameters.

' To this end thereis provided as a feature of the invention an adaptorhaving plug portion, preferably of flexible material, for insertion inthe socket of a candleholder and having a sleeve of flexible materialprojecting from the plug portion .to be free of the socket to enable itsbeing readily expanded to accommodate and efliciently hold candles ofvarying diameters.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing circumferentiallyspaced outwardly extending reinforcing ribs on the projectingcandleholding sleeve to serve as additional supports toprevent adverselateral bending of the sleeve, especially when tall candles are used.

Another feature of the invention resides in providing a plurality ofsuction gripping holes in theplug portion of the adaptor to enable afirmer engagement of the plug with the candleholder socket.

Another feature of the invention consists in forming. a bore extendinglongitudinally of the plug portion of the adaptor to enable a more readyconformance to varying sizes of candleholder sockets.

. Yet other features of the invention reside in providing eitherperforations in the projecting sleeve portion or forming inwardlyextending circumferentially spaced flexible ribs on the projectingsleeve to enable a firmer and better main- 4-() tenanoe of the candle inproper relation with the adaptor.

Other and more specific objects and features (Cl. (Pl-+23) Fig. 4. is aside view of the adaptor shown in Fig. 3. p

Fig. 5 is a top view of a modified form of adaptor with a candle shownin section inserted therein.

Fig. 6 is a side view partially in section of the adaptor shown in Fig.5.

Fig. 7 is a side view of another modified form of adaptor.

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 101 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a side view of another modified form of adaptor.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line |0lll of Fig. 9. 15 Fig.11 is a sectional view of the adaptor shown in Figs. 5 and 6 showing theupper rim rolled downwardly.

Before describing the present improvements and mode of operation thereofin detail it should 20 be understood that the invention is not limitedto the details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in theaccompanying drawing, which are merely illustrative of the presentpreferred embodiments, since the invention is capa- 251 ble of otherembodiments, and the phraseology employed is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

Referring more particularly to the drawing and first to Figs. 1 and 2,there is shown for the purpose of illustration a candleholder 20 ofconventional design having a base 2|, a standard 22 and a socket 23. 1

Because of the fact that candles, such for example as the candle 24, areproduced in non- 5; uniform diameters there is presented the problem ofproperly maintaining a given candle in the socket of a holder. Theadaptor 25 provided by the present invention presents a verysatisfactory solution of this problem. 40.

As shown, the adaptor 25 is formed with a plug portion 26, preferably ofa flexible material so that when inserted in the socket 23 of acandleholder 2|] it will effectively grip the socket and at the sametime be capable of yielding to com- 45. pensate for irregularities insocket diameters.

Projecting from the plug portion 26 is a sleeve 21 of flexible material,as rubber or the like, providing an adaptor socket 28 for the receipt ofa candle. Because the sleeve 21 is free of the 5 0 candleholder socket23 it may readily be expanded to accommodate candles of varyingdiameters, and to firmly grip the same. A shoulder 29 formed on theadaptor 25 and adapted to engage the peripheral lip 30 oftheacandleholder socket;

23 is provided to limit movement of the adaptor into the socket 23 andto support the candleholding sleeve 21 from adverse lateral bending atits juncture with the plug portion 26,

For economy in manufacture, and preferably as shown, the adaptor 25 isformed as in integral one-piece molded structure of rubber or similarflexible composition.

When the adaptor 25 is associated with a candleholder 20, as shown inFig. 1, not only is there a neat appearance presented but the candle 24is maintained firmly in position in the sleeve 27 of the adaptor.

If desired a slightly modified form of an adaptor may be used asdisclosed in Figs. 3 and 4. Like the adaptor 25 first described, thismodified adaptor 3| is formed with a plug portion 26, a projectingsleeve 21 and a shoulder 29 for limiting movement into the candleholdersocket and to support the candleholding sleeve from adverse lateralbending at its juncture with the plug portion. Supplementing theshoulder 29 however are a plurality of circumferentially spacedoutwardly extending reinforcing ribs 32 formed on and preferablyintegral with the sleeve and having a lower face 33 coextensive with theshoulder 29.

These reinforcing ribs are of particular advantage when a tall candle isinserted in the adaptor socket 28 and serve to prevent bending of theadaptor due to the over-balanced weight of the tall candle.

Also, as shown, the modified adaptor 3| has formed in the plug portion26 thereof a plurality of suction gripping holes 34 to enable a firmerengagement of the plug portion with the candleholder socket. Inaddition, the provision of the holes 34 renders the plug portion moreflexible and hence more readily adaptable to conform to various sizes ofcandleholder sockets.

While as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 both reinforcing ribs 32 and suctiongripping holes 34 are provided it is to be appreciated that the adaptormay be used, although not as satisfactorily, without the inclusion ofeither or both of these features.

Thus, in Figs. 9 and 10 an adaptor 35 is shown in which reinforcing ribs32 are omitted, but suction gripping holes 34 are formed in the plugportion 26. The adaptor 35, as in the case of the adaptors heretoforedescribed, is provided with a projecting sleeve 2'! of flexiblematerial, such as rubber, which is readily conformable to receivecandles of varying diameters, and is provided with a shoulder 29 forsupporting the sleeve and for limiting movement into the candleholdersocket 23.

In Figs 5 and 6 another slightly modified form of adaptor 36 is showndiffering from the adaptor 25 disclosed in Fig. 1 in the provision of aplurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly extending flexiblegripping ribs 31 on and preferably integral with the sleeve 21projecting from the plug portion 26. With this construction, theinwardly extending ribs, being of flexible material, yield to conformreadily to candles of varying diameters when the latter are inserted inthe sleeve socket 28. Because of the localized engagement of the ribswith the candle this form of adaptor is especially efficient inautomatically compensating for varying diameter candles and at the sametime firmly grips a given candle to maintain it rigidly in position.Moreover, because of the fact that the candleholding sleeve 21 projectsfrom the plug portion 26 and is hence free of the candleholder socket 23the sleeve itself is enabled to expand and contract to more readilyconform to varying diameters of candles that may be inserted therein.

The modified adaptor 36 further differs from adaptor 25 disclosed inFig. 1 in the provision of a longitudinally extending bore 43 in theplug portion 26 for giving added flexibility thereto and thus enabling amore ready conformance to candleholder sockets of Varying sizes. Whilethe inclusion of the bore 43 is not essential it does result in a moreadaptable and therefore satisfactory unit because candleholder socketsvary in size as well as do the candles themselves.

As shown in Fig. 11, the upper rim 39 of the projecting sleeve 21 may,because of its flexible construction, be rolled downwardly. This is avery real advantage in that it enables a more complete burning of thecandle.

In Figs. '7 and 8 another slightly modified form of adaptor 40 is shown.Like each of the other adaptors described this adaptor is formed with aplug portion 26, a projecting sleeve 21 and a shoulder 29 for supportingthe sleeve and limiting movement into the candleholder socket. To enablean especially firm and secure gripping of the candle, however, theflexible sleeve 21 is provided with a plurality of perforations 4|,which may be in the form of slots as shown, suction cups, or in anyother desired form. The perforations 4! serve also to further increasethe flexibility of the sleeve, thus enabling a more ready conformance tovarying diameters of candles,

In addition, this modified adaptor 40 has formed on and preferablyintegral with the plug portion thereof a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced outwardly extending flexible ribs 42 which engage with thecandleholder socket 23 when the plug portion 26 is inserted therein tomaintain the latter securely in place. A plug having gripping ribs 42thus formed thereon is particularly advantageous in that the flexiblegripping ribs are even more readily conformable to varying sizes ofcandleholder sockets than is the smooth plug illustrated in Figs. 1 and2 or the plug having the suction holes formed therein disclosed in Figs.4 and 5.

Supplementing the flexible ribs 42 in enabling a ready conformance ofthe plug portion to sockets of varying sizes there is provided in theplug, as in the forms disclosed in Figs. 5, 6, and 11, a longitudinallyextending bore 43 which gives added flexibility thereto. It is to beappreciated that the adaptor disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8 may be formedwith either the bore 43, ribs 42, or perforations 4| omitted therefrom,although for maximum efficiency all should be included. If preferred,the ribs 31 and 42 may be annularly or circumferentially disposed withinthe sleeve 21 and on the plug 26, instead of longitudinally. With such astructure the ridges should be approximately the same heighth as shownand should be spaced a slight extent one above the other on the plug andwithin the sleeve.

As explained in connection with the form disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2,each of the adaptors described may be advantageously and preferablyshould, be formed as an integral one-piece molded structure of aflexible material such as rubber.

Other variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described the invention what is plug portion for insertionin a socket of a candleholder; and a'sleeve of flexible materialextending from said plug portion, automatically adjustable foraccommodating candles of various diameters.

2. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a flexible rubber plugportion for insertion in a socket of a candleholder; and a flexiblerubber sleeve extending from said plug portion, automatically adjustablefor accommodating candles of various diameters.

3. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion of flexiblematerial for insertion in a socket of a candleholder; and a sleeve offlexible material extending from and integral with said plug portion,automatically adjustable for accommodating candles of various diameters.

4. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion for insertionin a socket of a candleholder; a flexible rubber sleeve ext-ending from.said plug portion, for accommodating candles of various diameters; and aperipheral shoulder for limiting movement into the holder socket.

5. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion for insertionin a socket of a candleholder; a flexible rubber sleeve extending fromsaid plug portion, for accommodating candles of various diameters; and aplurality of circumferentially spaced outwardly extending reinforcingribs formed on said sleeve.

6. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion for insertionin a socket of a candleholder, having a plurality of suction grippingholes therein; and a flexible rubber sleeve extending from said plugportion, for accommodating candles of various diameters.

'7. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion of flexiblematerial for insertion in a socket of a candleholder, having a pluralityof suction gripping holes therein; a sleeve of flexible materialextending from said plug portion, for accommodating candles of variousdiameters; and a plurality of circumferentially spaced outwardlyextending reinforcing ribs formed on said sleeve.

8. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion for insertionin a socket of a candleholder; a flexible rubber sleeve extending fromsaid plug portion, for accommodating candles of various diameters; and aplurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly extending candle grippingribs formed on said sleeve.

9. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion for insertionin a socket of a candleholder, having a longitudinally extending boretherein; a flexible rubber sleeve extending from said plug portion, foraccommodating candles of various diameters; and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced inwardly extending candle gripping ribs formedon, said sleeve.

10. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion forinsertion in a socket of a candleholder, having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced outwardly extending flexible ribs formedthereon; and a sleeve of flexible material extending from said plugportion, for accommodating candles of various diameters.

11. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion forinsertion in a socket of a candleholder; and a perforated sleeve offlexible material extending from said plug portion, for accommodatingcandles of various diameters.

12. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion forinsertion in a socket of a candleholder, having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced outwardly extending flexible ribs formedthereon; and a perforated sleeve of flexible material extending fromsaid plug portion, for accommodating candles of various diameters.

13. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion of flexiblematerial for insertion in a socket of a candleholder and havingdeformations on said plug portion; and a sleeve of flexible materialextending from said plug portion for accommodating candle-s of variousdiameters.

14. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portion of flexiblematerial for insertion in a socket of a candleholder, having alongitudinally extending bore therein; and a sleeve of flexible materialextending from said plug portion for accommodating candles of variousdiameters. 15. An adaptor for candleholders, comprising a plug portionfor insertion in a socket of a candleholder, having a longitudinallyextending bore formed therein; a plurality of circumferentially spacedoutwardly extending flexible ribs formed on said plug portion; and asleeve of flexible material extending from said plug portion foraccommodating candles of various diameters.

FRANCIS D. SAIER.

